Snowboarding is amazing. Incredible. I honestly think itís just about the most fun Iíve had in my life.

I went out to have a go, and stupidly I figured I didnít need a lesson, as I skated lots as a teen and still do occasionally.
'I know how to balance on a board and ride switch and ollie and stuff, Iíll just do it on snow instead of concrete!í

How wrong could I be, I pounded my body brutally into ice and snow for 5 hours straight. My wife was skiing and after about two hours she suggested maybe Iíd had enough. She kept asking Ďare you ok?í to which Iíd say hell yes this is awesome, then get up confidently, fly 4 meters down the slope and nail myself again.

Finally it started to click and by the end of the day I was getting down some intermediate runs with only 2-3 falls. I worked out how to carve toe and heel side, transition/rotate into switch and carve heel side in switch. I landed a couple of small jumps and ollie 180ís on flat slopes and managed to work out how to stop both heel and toe side.

While my crashes hurt, they were mostly minor due to some knowledge of how to fall. I was very glad for my hired wristguards though! I had one massive bail when I lost control and went down a hill way too fast, I tried to stop, caught an edge and left the ground completely. I broke my fall with my face and felt something tweak in my back, I was completely winded and couldn't see too well for a couple of minutes. 3 days later the sore muscles are ok, but Iím still pretty bruised on the butt, arms and ribs.

I loved every minute of it and am reading this forum wishing I could go again tomorrow. Sadly I canít afford to go often and I reckon I might only get one more day this year. Next year Iím getting a season pass and somehow Iíll get up there lots, not sure how yet but Iíll somehow make it work.

:yahoo: I love your sport :yahoo:

davidj

08-06-2013 04:16 AM

Hey, welcome to the sport, and this forum. You're hooked now, I see... :D

ETM

08-06-2013 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbrunskill
(Post 1025129)

Next year Iím getting a season pass and somehow Iíll get up there lots, not sure how yet but Iíll somehow make it work.

:

Welcome to my life, I hope you didnt have anything planned :laugh:

neni

08-06-2013 05:13 AM

Haha... thick skin and determination is there - you'll have a lot of fun :thumbsup:
and just wait till you ride your first line in pow, the longing will get worse.

Be prepared to some changes in your life ;) holiday planning will concentrate on when is the season, where is snow, during the season you hardly will see non snowsport friends n family. Good, that the GF likes to ski!

wrathfuldeity

08-06-2013 06:54 AM

start working extra, saving every penny and vacation time..ur going to need it

and there are useless items, pets and kids to sell off

lessons are well spent $

bbrunskill

08-06-2013 07:07 AM

Luckily time off work isnít too big a problem - my wife and I are teachers and so we get regular holidays in between school terms. Money might be a bit more challenging though. I do have two kids I could sell off.

Noreaster

08-06-2013 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrathfuldeity
(Post 1025185)

start working extra, saving every penny and vacation time..ur going to need it

and there are useless items, pets and kids to sell off

QFT, my friend.

rwspear

08-06-2013 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbrunskill
(Post 1025129)

:yahoo: I love your sport :yahoo:

its your sport now.

bbrunskill

05-18-2014 02:14 AM

Quick update - Iím now the owner of a season pass and a secondhand snowboard and bindings. Come on snow!